Blood Donations

Opponents of a federal ban on blood donations by men who have sex with men are demonstrating at a St. Paul blood bank. Organizer Zachary Fincher says about 20 to 40 men will try to donate blood at the Memorial Blood Centers’ St. Paul location Friday.

Officials with the American Red Cross said Tuesday they are in urgent need of blood donations now that the Fourth of July has passed. The American Red Cross has issued an emergency appeal for blood donors of all types, with an increased need for O-negative, B-negative and A-negative.